'Haq' Struggles at Box Office: Strong Performances, Weak Collections Mark Day 1 for Emraan-Yami Drama

Emraan Hashmi and Yami Gautam’s bold courtroom drama Haq hit theaters on November 7 but opened to a dismal Rs 1.65 crore net, signaling a rough start despite strong early reviews. Inspired by the iconic Shah Bano Begum case, the film follows a divorced woman battling her ex-husband in court for maintenance rights after triple talaq—a real-life 1985 legal fight that shook India. Directed by Suparn Varma (The Family Man), it features sharp dialogues, powerful performances, and a relevant social message, yet failed to draw crowds, possibly due to low marketing and clash with Hollywood’s Predator: Badlands.

The film ran in only 1,800 shows nationwide—far below major releases—and recorded a weak 9.97% average occupancy. Morning shows limped at 5.66%, afternoon at 8.19%, with a slight rise to 9.54% in the evening and 16.5% at night. Critics praised Yami’s fiery portrayal of Shazia Bano and Emraan’s layered role as advocate Abbas Khan, with lines like "Love isn’t enough—respect is" earning applause. But urban multiplexes stayed empty, and rural centers showed little interest, leaving theaters echoing with silence instead of cheers.

This slow start mirrors Vivek Agnihotri’s The Bengal Files, which opened at Rs 1.75 crore but ended at just Rs 16 crore lifetime. For Emraan, it’s another setback after Ground Zero (Rs 6.7 crore total, Rs 1.15 crore Day 1). His supporting cast—including Sheeba Chaddha and Danish Hussain—delivered strong performances, but without viral buzz or mass appeal, Haq risks fading fast. The film’s real-world roots added legal drama when Shah Bano’s family tried (and failed) to block its release in Madhya Pradesh.

Also Read: Haq Film Review: Yami Gautam and Emraan Hashmi Deliver in Sensitive Legal Tale

Yami Gautam, fresh off the blockbuster Article 370 (Rs 77 crore, Rs 5.9 crore Day 1), faces a stark contrast—her action thriller had mass momentum, while Haq demands patience and awareness. Box office experts predict a Rs 7-8 crore weekend only if Saturday jumps 50-70% on word-of-mouth. Co-produced by Junglee Pictures and Baweja Studios, the film needs a miracle to avoid the “critically acclaimed, commercially ignored” trap.

Social media is buzzing with praise—“Yami deserves a National Award!”—but praise doesn’t fill seats. Haq now banks on weekend growth and future OTT success. If it follows Article 370’s sleeper-hit path, Yami strengthens her reign; if not, it’s another bold Bollywood story lost to the box office battlefield.

Also Read: Emraan Hashmi Talks About His Role and Viral Dialogue in Ba**ds of Bollywood*